upper

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈʌpə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈʌpɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: up‧per
• Rhymes: -ʌpə(r)

upper (comparative uppermore, superlative uppermost)

1. At a higher level, rank or position.
2. Situated on higher ground, further inland, or more northerly.
3. (geology, of strata or geological time periods) younger, more recent
4. (education) Of or pertaining to a secondary school.

• (at a higher position): lower, under
• (situated higher): lower
• (more recent): lower

upper (plural uppers)

Flip-flops with several styles of uppers

1. That which is higher, contrasted with the lower.

   As the restless sleeper here, I'll take the lower berth. You take the upper.

2. (shoemaking) The piece of leather, etc., that forms the top part of a shoe above the sole.
   • 1930, Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Chapter 4, p. 52,

     The uppers of his patent-leather shoes were hidden by fawn spats.

3. A stimulant, such as amphetamine, that increases energy and decreases appetite.
4. (clothing) The Y-shaped strap on flip-flops.

• (shoemaking): vamp

• on one's uppers – destitute

• swan upper

• Ruppe